“Student athletes inspire us all to come together and enjoy a healthy, active life,” says Dr. Shannon Orsak of St. Michael’s Emergency Rooms. “We’re always honored to help injured student athletes and to offer our support to community sports…and I’ve been especially blessed by two particular student athletes who brighten my life every day.”

Savannah and Sierra Orsak, the fourteen-year-old twin daughters of Dr. Shannon and Sara Orsak, know about the challenges and rewards of being student athletes. Savannah says, “We started out in basketball, then we started running to stay conditioned in the off season. Now we both run cross country on the track team…and we love it!” Sierra says, “Running isn’t just a workout for your legs…it requires core strength, arms, endurance, a positive attitude…and mental discipline. Competing in cross country, track, and playing basketball for Fort Bend Christian Academy keeps us at the top of our game…so we can keep striving for more!”

Whether it’s summer or just the off-season for your regular sport, it’s important to stay in shape! Sierra says, “If you push too hard after taking a lot of time off, you can pull a muscle or turn your ankle. Make time for your sport over the summer! Not only will you learn new skills and grow as an athlete, you’ll also stay conditioned…so you’ll be less likely to injure yourself when you get back into the game as school starts.” Savannah adds, “Staying in shape all year round is so important…but be careful in the heat. Listen to your body, stretch properly, stay hydrated, and rest (and ice) if you have a nagging pain that isn’t an emergency. You really shouldn’t overwork yourself outside this time of year!”

Savannah and Sierra have been careful, skilled, and fortunate…neither of them has needed a trip to the ER. When we asked, they each knew plenty of instances where a fellow athlete could suffer a sports-related injury. A broken foot at a basketball game, a twisted ankle on a run, a slip and fall at the pool…accidents can happen anytime. When you see St. Michael’s name on the list of supporters for the local baseball or swim or soccer team, remember St. Michael’s is more than a name, it’s the place you can bring your injured athletes for unparalleled emergency care…without a wait!

St. Michael’s Emergency Room is not an urgent care center…it’s a 10,000 square foot full-fledged, free-standing Emergency Room with physicians trained in emergency medicine, X-ray, Ultrasound and CT, an on-site diagnostic lab, nine exam rooms (including pediatric themed rooms and a Harley-Davidson room!), a treatment suite for observation, and a comfortable waiting room…with a limited wait time! Why settle for a standard ER when you could enjoy concierge service at St. Michael for the same ER price…or most of the time even LESS! St. Michael’s ER is in-network with AETNA and also accepts more than 200 insurance plans, including Cigna, Blue Cross, United, and Humana. At this time, Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare do not participate with free-standing ER’s. St. Michael’s is one of the only fully-accredited ER facilities with JCAHO, ACR, and CLIA certifications.